Conclusion

Persistent problems in IS research and practice give rise to a reconsideration of the prevailing presuppositions of human inquiry. The lack of a philosophical foundation of IS research and its negligence of methodological advances in disciplines like organization theory and sociology can be regarded as a major cause for many of the recurrent problems in the conception, development, and subsequent use of information systems. An analysis of contemporary literature in the fields of organization theory and IS research, as well as philosophy of science provides a host of relevant material to be considered influential for the conceptualization of new paradigms of inquiry, which we regard as appropriate in the current state of IS research.

Our reflections on the modernism-postmodernism debate and its methodological implications for IS research have led us to the conclusion that a well-defined "paradigm of inquiry" is necessary as a foundation for further work in this field. We have criticized positivism, the dominating paradigm of inquiry in contemporary IS research, as being ignorant about the subjectivity of human efforts - therefore also about the subjectivity of human inquiry. On the other hand, radical constructivism, as an emerging paradigm of inquiry in IS research, has also been criticized because of its explanation of reality construction on the basis of the cognitive performance of a sole individual. Since all human inquiry relies on social contextualization, shared language, and common practice, we believe these aspects have to be taken into consideration in pursuit of a conceptualization of a new paradigm of inquiry.

With the proposed paradigm of sociopragmatic constructivism, we are striving to overcome the deficiencies of the criticized paradigms of positivism and radical constructivism. Focusing on social contextualization, shared language, and common practice as constituents of human inquiry, SPC can be regarded as a response to fundamental problems in IS research and practice. It provides a different view on model, information, information systems, and on the function of information systems in the process of human inquiry.

Based on our paradigm of inquiry "sociopragmatic constructivism," we have developed a research agenda, which we believe to be appropriate for tackling the fundamental issues in IS research and practice. With the research agenda developed we pursue three main goals:

  • Refining sociopragmatic constructivism, not only as a paradigm of inquiry, but also as a research paradigm, taking the individual as well as its social and cultural context into consideration.

  • Testing of the viability of the sociopragmatic-constructivist approach, by continuously building "communities of practice," both while engaging in theoretical reflection and working in practical IS projects.

  • Describing and discussing implications for IS research, thereby taking the perspectives of fields like philosophy, sociology, or organization theory into consideration in order to foster transdisciplinary research.

Developing a paradigm of inquiry and a research agenda based on this paradigm seems to be quite ambitious. However, we believe that trying to solve the persistent fundamental problems in IS research and practice with the means provided by classical paradigms of inquiry seems to be even more ambitious. It is our conviction that SPC will provide us with a conceptual framework for developing an appropriate understanding of the function of IS in the process of human inquiry. Sociopragmatic constructivism, being rooted in the "life-world" (Lebenswelt), will also provide us with a methodology that is implementable in the form of a sociopragmatic-constructivist practice. Applying this methodology in IS research and practice will eventually help us to find answers to questions raised by the persistence of fundamental problems in IS research and practice.



Computing Information Technology. The Human Side
Computing Information Technology: The Human Side
ISBN: 1931777527
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 186

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